In dramatic fashion, this long coat kimono provides winter warmth in a single layer that accommodates all the clothing worn beneath. For this design, I chose a herringbone slip-stitch pattern to produce a firm fabric that will retain its shape, and I knitted two-layer cuffs to emulate the many layers of robe typical of court attire during the Heian period. Cuffs in successively smaller circumference function both to keep out the cold and to hold the sleeves in place. For a unique closure treatment, I attached a shaped scarf on one side that pulls through a slot in the opposite front and hangs in lovely bias folds. The subtle blend of purples and grays in this bulky handpainted yarn is classic and tasteful.

While the Heian court ladies may have looked spectacular in their twelve to twenty layers of kimono robes, you’ll find movement is much easier in this uwagi.